Le Mois de la Photo à Montréal 2015 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

CALL
Around the theme The Post-Photographic Condition proposed by Catalan curator and artist Joan Fontcuberta, Le Mois de la Photo à Montréal 2015 will explore the dramatic transformations the image has undergone due to the impact of the second digital revolution, in which the Internet and smartphones play a prominent role. It will feature works of artists who critically react to the massive presence of images and their absolute availability in our current visual culture.

THEME

The Post-Photographic Condition

We find ourselves at a crucial moment in the history of images. The proliferation of cameras and digital point-and-shoot devices, the incorporation of picture taking into cell phones, the Internet,

social networks, new surveillance techniques, the development of virtual reality mechanisms – all this and more is configuring a second digital revolution in which the identity of photography

must be rethought. Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google, Flickr, YouTube, Wikipedia, eBay, and Blurb have become tools for experimentation and new creative processes.

Today, how can we define photographic quality? Is it possible to identify the photographic canon that is being created in the new vernacular spaces of the image?

221A is an artist-run centre located in Vancouver, Canada with a mandate to support the advancement of contemporary art that explores design as a subject. Projects presented at 221A address design in its widest sense, which may encompass graphics, products, architecture, or, more broadly, social codes and conventions.

221A is seeking proposals from curators for projects to commence in 2014. Implemented in 2010 the Curatorial Residencies program encourages a diversity of curatorial approaches to the organization’s mandate. Emerging and professional curators, curatorial collectives, which may include recent graduates and practicing artists, designers and architects, are encouraged to submit proposals to be developed over the course of one year. Projects may include exhibitions, performances, publications, talks or workshops. Proposals should discuss a viewpoint, theory or approach that the project hopes to foster in relation to the organization’s mandate.

Selected candidates will be expected to work with the Executive Director to research, plan and execute the project. In addition, selected curators are required to participate in the Curatorial Committee, starting mid 2013 for a minimum one-year term (meeting every 2 months) to offer feedback to other curatorial residents and the program. The committee offers a space for reflection on the wider program at 221A and a relationship between curatorial residents, staff and community. International participants will be expected to attend meetings through online voice/video chat.

Proposal Guidelines
Applicants must submit a digital proposal (to bchhay@221a.ca) including:
• a one to two-page project proposal, describing the curatorial project;
• a current CV of each of the key contributors (maximum 3 pages each);
• related images/texts as required (pdf or jpegs, max. 15 images, or up to 10 min. of audio or video). For large format images or videos that cannot be transmitted by email please include instructions for access.

Proposals are intended to provide the overall intention and background of the project. Applicants proposing self-curated projects must describe the reasoning behind this approach. Further research and development of the project is expected upon selection.

Selections Process
Project proposals are shortlisted by a committee comprised of members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Director. The Executive Director makes final selections of 5 proposals to make up the 2014 programming year. Selected applicants will be contacted in March 2013. Please note that only applicants under consideration will be contacted.

Funding
221A is a non-profit organization funded through a mixture of self-generated income, private donations and public funding. All projects are funded through the organization’s operating budget at $4,000. This budget may increase through the success of project-based grants-with average projects ranging up to $25,000. All projects must pay fees to artists and curators at the minimum CARFAC rates or higher.